Every industry uses automation, whether it’s for performing online transactions or checking-out at self-serve kiosks. Within the hospitality industry, automation is essentially about automating manual and time-consuming tasks without the intervention of hotel staff. Having said that, majority of the hoteliers consider automation in the hospitality industry to be about using fancy robots to enhance customer experience. 

However, the reality is that Automation in Hospitality Industry involves simplifying tedious hotel operations. Leveraging this method, hotels can pivot their focus on human touch demanding tasks, whilst leaving the rest of the business upto automation technologies. With the initiation of AI and ML algorithms, automation in the hospitality industry has become a strategic pivotal for guest satisfaction and expedited management of guest services.  

When it comes to automating hotel operations, it’s certainly not possible to automate every task. That said, hoteliers can always automate inventory management for better management across all OTAs and channels. At the same time, they can also automate the tasks of reservations by harnessing a cloud-based PMS for greater efficiency. Simultaneously, automated chatbots and contactless check-ins are some other routine services that can be automated. 

Nevertheless, to ensure automation in the hospitality industry, hotels need to focus on successful implementation by leveraging the following tips.   

Tips for Automation in Hospitality Industry

Having a Clear End Goal 

For the successful implementation of automation in the hotel industry, it is fundamental to have a specific end goal in mind. The three most valuable goals in context of automation in hotel operations include enhancing guest experience, elevating hotel efficiency, and reducing costs.

After having a clear goal in mind, hoteliers need to ascertain whether choosing this type of technology is financially viable.

To help you address this hurdle, we recommend always taking into account the long-term benefits such as revenue maximisation, cost-savings, gaining competitive edge in the market, amongst others. 

Elevated Guest Experience

It’s more than obvious that you’re implementing Automation in Hospitality Industry to elevate guest experience. Given that automation has the potential to offer convenient and comfortable stays to your guests, its implementation should thus consider the target audience and their preferences.

As a result, some guests may prefer interaction with hotel staff at every touchpoint, while others may opt to use self-serve kiosks for services like check-in and check-out. 

Upskilling the Hotel Staff 

As new technologies continue to make their way into the hotel, hoteliers tend to forget that the staff might not be familiar with such technology which will impact the delivery of hotel services despite the integration of automation.

In tandem, hotels need to invest some time and effort in staff training in the context of automation of hotel operations.

Trained hotel staff will not only be able to manoeuvre through possible roadblocks, but will also be able to help guests struggling with automated technologies, ensuring guaranteed guest satisfaction. 

Guest Communication 

Irrespective of whatever the change might be, informing the guests about the same serves as a key ingredient for a successful implementation process.

This necessitates the need to communicate with your guests well in advance, before the integration of automation technologies.

By communicating with your guests about automated hotel operations, you can save them the unnecessary shock, helping them be better prepared for what awaits ahead. This will ensure both; successful implementation and satisfied guests. 

Continuous Improvement 

Tech is such a dynamic and ever-evolving field which makes it imperative for hotels to keep adapting to upcoming technologies. Driven by the fact that a technology that is making headlines today may not be relevant tomorrow, hotels need to pay critical attention to new developments.

So, as a hotelier it is your duty to replace the systems that are becoming obsolete with the modern ones. For instance, check-ins are no longer computerised as today guests can simply check-in with QR-scan technology. 

By following these tips, Hotels can ensure successful automation. But before putting an end to this automation process, hotels need to understand the advantages that automation in the hospitality industry has to offer.      

Benefits of Hotel Automation 

First and foremost, implementing automation in hotels significantly enhances guest experience as they can literally access all services right from their comfort.

That said, automation allows hotels to create a centralised dashboard for managing all functions, capable of storing guest information this dashbord can help in the delivery of tailored experiences. 

Secondly, with hotel automation, hotels can streamline all operations, saving the time and effort of the hotel staff. Since, the hotel staff already knows what is expected they can be on track with all their tasks ensuring the mitigation of delays to a large extent.

At the same time, automated hotel operations also means reduced errors, ensuring guest satisfaction always remains positive. 

Last but not least, leveraging automation in the hospitality industry has been known to maximise guest satisfaction.

In the absence of personnel to address guest queries, automated chatbots can serve as game-changers, adept at answering guest queries with swiftness and precision. Thus, by automating your hotel’s mundane tasks, these chatbots provide consistent support to your guests.                        

Conclusion

To make your property stand out, it’s essential to automate your hotel with an all-in-one hotel management software designed to offer an efficient and digitised experience.          

Having said that, at its core automation is all about improving guest experience, whilst facilitating improved decision-making for ensuring the future success of the hotel.   

FAQs

1. What is the most positive effect of automation in the hotel industry?

The most positive effect of automation in the hotel industry is simplifying the lives of hoteliers, by allowing them to automate their hotel operations and reducing the room for manual errors.  

2. What is the impact of technology in the hospitality industry?

The integration of technology in the hospitality industry has only had a positive impact as it continues to redefine the meaning of efficient hotel services and enhanced guest experience.  

3. What are the benefits of innovative technology to the hospitality industry?

The use of innovative technology in the hospitality industry has been known to elevate guest experience, streamline hotel operations, address guest queries, offer personalised recommendations, and much more.  

4. How can technology help improve hotel guest experience?

Technology can improve guest experience with the integration of automated chatbots that are capable of responding to guest queries with accuracy and speed, taking guest satisfaction to new heights. 

5. How can automation be integrated in the hospitality industry?

While it’s not possible to automate all tasks, automation can always be integrated in the hotel industry in the form of chatbots, self-serve kiosks for check-ins and check-outs, voice-controlled hotel room controls, etc.